History: A Tribute to General CS Thomason

Major General CS Thomason was one of the great figures in piping at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. His monumental 400-page work ‘Ceol Mor’ paved the way for the formation of the Piobaireachd Society and its seminal collection of Books 1-16. The Oban Times of July 10, 1909, reported on a dinner held that month in his honour in the Union Hotel, Edinburgh….. The…

Countdown to the World’s Largest Schools Pipe Band Competition

It is exactly two weeks before the entry deadline for this year’s Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Championships, the world’s largest celebration of school piping and drumming, writes Leslie Wilkinson. Organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT), the annual Championships are part of a broader effort to promote piping and drumming in schools across Scotland.  The Trust has recently awarded funding to Edinburgh City Council to help…

Canadian Gold Medallist Bill Livingstone’s New Piobaireachd Release

Renowned Canadian piper, composer, and author William (Bill) Livingstone has released the fifth volume of his celebrated series, A Piobaireachd Diary. The album continues his dedication to exploring and interpreting the classical music of the great Highland bagpipe, a journey that has spanned decades and earned him international acclaim. By Andrew B Giles Bill, a notable figure in the world of piping, was the founding Pipe Major of the 78th…

Oban and Inverness Entries/ Northern Ireland Band Dates/ Ross Miller New Single

Entries for the major competitions at the 2025 Argyllshire Gathering (Aug. 27/28), and the Northern Meeting (Sept. 11/12), close on January 31, just over two weeks away. No late entries will be considered by the promoters. The entry deadline includes those playing for the Senior Piobaireachd, the Clasp and both Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and Reel competitions. A meeting to finalise those eligible for Gold and Silver Medal competitions will…

Famous Pipers: Remembering John Scott, South Uist – Part 2

The concluding part of these reminiscences by Tony Daniel a pupil of John’s in London….. Then came the time I went to his home and was told he was in hospital in Croydon. I went to visit him; he was surprised but happy to see me but he couldn’t talk as he had had a tracheotomy. He would write notes to me instead. But I soon learnt to understand him…